Mar 27, 2008

Developers adjust to shifting retail landscapeBy Carol MarshallMLive.com

The fundamentals of the public’s retail needs aren’t changing: People want fast service and convenient shopping options, and they want them close to home.

But retailers still face a changing landscape. In Michigan, that includes a shrinking economy – by more than 75,000 jobs since 2006, according to a University of Michigan study released late last year. And disposable income increased in Michigan by a mere half-percent, according to the same study.

That means that retailers in Oakland County have to confront a still-fussy public that, in many cases, has less money to spend.

So what’s a retailer to do? Today’s strategies include smaller stores, “green” design and more amenities.

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